He went through various tests before he was deemed the one. Only Rhilian was meant to use the Diamond Swords and only he could use them to their full power. A long novel involving a trained fighter's journey to get what must be retrieved. Humorous. R&R

Battle fumes were still lingering in the air as the
broad general Rhilian rode up steadily on his glorious white
stallion. Rhilian had abnormal light, fine brown hair that seemed
almost blonde. He was just taller than six feet, the average height
of men in Hildurio's army. His face was immensely scarred and
radiated his experience on the battle field. His deep navy blue eyes
intimidated all but his closest corporals and friends. His equally
light brown eye brows rested unnaturally close to his eyes and were
slightly curved, constantly giving him a look of authority and power.
His weapon of choice was a lengthy two handed sword that was stained
with blood from Rhilian's victims. The hilt was decorated with gems
and gold indicating a weapon of great mastery, the bottom of the hilt
had two obtrusive spikes. The sturdy guard on the sword was just as
deadly as the blade; it was lined with small needle-sharp pricks all
of which had the deadliest of scorpion poisons on the tips. The
actual blade was surprisingly light although as hard as granite and
remarkably sharp. He wore a suit of heavy armour, the chest piece
made of plate armour, the arms protected by chain mail and the
shoulders made of the strongest leather and straps.

"How many dead and wounded?" Rhilian boomed out
with his given authority to another broad looking man who rode
quickly up along side him.

"Around seventy five dead and we haven't got a
confirmed amount on wounded." The man answered looking boldly at
his general.

"Dytrallious, I believe the enemy will be regrouping
near the forest edge and either possibly come back with
reinforcements or await our final attack on their accursed
encampment. Send two scouts to go around and monitor the sentinel's
movements and two more up on that hill then to proceed to the other
end of the forest and if possible monitor the well being of the
previous scouts." Rhilian said staring confidently forward at what
looked like never-ending forest a head. Dytrallious had long dark
brown hair that rested comfortably down by his shoulders; his eyes
were a deep emerald green. He had a large hideous scar running from
his left eye to the very right of his mouth. His weapons were two
light weight scimitars that were ten inches shorter than Rhilian's
two handed sword. The blades were like Rhilian's, smeared with
blood however instead of the hilt being lined with gems the actual
blades were decorated instead.

"Yes general." Dytrallious said then he reared his
horse then trotted back to the main camp. Rhilian continued scanning
the glistening forest with his unnerving eyes. Small puffs of smoke
rose near the edge, 'once they are gone…' Rhilian thought
irritably to himself randomly. Bodies of Rhilian's enemies were
laid across the plain some several yards away and some but a few
metres from Rhilian's feet. After a few minutes, he saw his scouts
ride unobtrusively off to their set destinations. Rhilian stared
blankly at them riding off for several long seconds then wheeled his
horse around and preceded towards his main organised camp.

Within minutes of his horse gracefully cantering he was
at his busy camp, the smell of decaying and death invaded his nose.
Rhilian turned his half shaded face to where the wounded were being
kept, hundreds of people were moaning in unbearable agony. His eyes
widened in fright as he saw one of his close friends lying
motionlessly on the ground. He leapt skilfully off the white stallion
and sprinted towards his wounded friend.

"Shuyan, are you alright?" he bellowed amongst the
moaning soldiers. The broad man by the name of Shuyan turned around
to see the large figure of Rhilian approach him.

"Good day Rhilian… I mean general." He smirked
with a wide smile. Rhilian stopped a metre back and stared curiously
at Shuyan.

"I thought you were badly hurt, I see it's just a
scratch." He said in a low whisper pointing at Shuyan's bleeding
arm. "Oh yes, Dytrallious ordered me to get it checked out. I told
him I was fine but you know how stubborn he gets." Shuyan replied
still giving off his unusual grin.

Shuyan had slit dark brown eyes; his hair was black and
unfashionably short. He was darkly tanned with very little cuts and
scars and was also moderately broad in figure. His choice of weapon
was a magnificently crafted bow which he says was made from the
ancient wood of the goddess's tree in Hynula region. He also
carried a sharp machete in case the enemy got to close for comfort
and also for obviously clearing foliage.

"Not a good win was it?" Shuyan asked trying to
sound comforting as he stared at all the wounded soldiers groaning
around him. Rhilian looked away suddenly as if hurt by the comment.

"All wars take casualties, and anyway once the last of
the Sentinels are captured or killed, Nadurio said I can begin my
quest." He said confidently. Shuyan continued to look up at him
slightly annoyed

"The diamond swords aren't real. They're a myth."
Shuyan said with a trace of pity in his voice. Rhilian looked back
down at Shuyan then away again

"We'll see." He said then strode off wishing not
to be lectured further.

The white stallion was rearing up in panic as
Dytrallious futilely tried to grab the reins. Rhilian marched up to
the fighting pair.

"Your horse is bloody stubborn, it'd be better off
as meat for the wolves." Dytrallious yelled out angrily as he gave
up the fight.

"I've taught him not to be secured by anyone else."
Rhilian replied giving off a smile as he easily grabbed the
disgruntled horse's reins. After the white horse was secured in the
horse shelter and was happily munching on some hay, Dytrallious and
Rhilian walked off to the large red tent indicating high authority.

"You know it's about twenty one years now that you,
Shuyan and myself have known each other." Dytrallious said awaiting
Rhilian's reaction.

"Damn… that's pretty long, I still remember
meeting you. The funniest sight I've ever seen, your father trying
to lash you as you stole his bread. Then my father meet yours and
well they didn't turn out quite like us." Rhilian said smiling as
the thought wondered through his mind. The large pair boldly strode
over to Shuyan who was nursing the deep cut on his arm.

"I thought you said that you can't get hurt by any
mortal man" Dytrallious bellowed happily to his wounded friend.

"It was a cheap shot" Shuyan countered looking up at
the smiling pair.

"Come on Shuyan, you're not that badly wounded. Lets
get back to the tent." Rhilian whispered.

Later that night the three were talking as they slept in
their designated beds.

"The worst part about this war is the constant blood
that gets on my hands." Shuyan was saying.

"Who cares about the blood, it's your own men that
fall beside you. That's the worst part." Dytrallious countered as
he wondered about several events that happened earlier in the day.

"The worst thing is that they go on too long, once
this campaign is finished. I'm going to find those swords."
Rhilian said countering both of his companions. Shuyan sighed then
said feeling slightly annoyed

"Rhilian, those swords are myths. Even if they did
exist where would you start to find them?" Rhilian turned to face
Shuyan who was lying in his bed on the opposite side of the tent, "I
do have ideas, it was my fathers dream to find them however when I
was born he knew he couldn't go looking for them. So about five
years ago he told me all the different things he found out about
them." He said continuing to stare at Shuyan. Dytrallious stared
blankly at the ceiling

"Enough talk about swords, and battle instruments.
Lets talk about women." He said staring happily at the ceiling. For
the rest of the night they talked about the women they would take to
bed.

Early in the morning, Rhilian awoke. Shuyan and
Dytrallious were still snoring away as Rhilian tip toed out the
opening. He had an unusual fascination for the sunrise, several of
the wounded were staring curiously at their general slowly walk out
of the encampment and headed to the lush hill. "The fresh air was a
godsend in comparison to the stench of corpses. 'The scouts will be
reporting soon' Rhilian thought to himself as he took a deep
refreshing breath in. He looked down towards the stretching forest.
The smoke was now gone and all that was left was the trees which were
waving peacefully in the light breeze, the bodies from yesterday also
seemed to vanish but it didn't bother Rhilian much. He turned back
and awaited the stunning sunrise, suddenly a beautiful woman appeared
in front of him, her eyes were a dazzling sky blue which glistened
stunningly. Her light brown hair drooped down her back also waving
slightly in the light breeze.

"Rhilian how is the battle against the sentinels
faring?" she said in her soothing tone. Rhilian smiled as he looked
at the beautiful girl,

"Minella, good of you to stop by. Yes, you can tell
king Nadurio we have scattered the enemy but taken many casualties."
He said trying to hold his wide smile as he talked.

"I'm sure; he'll be pleased with your work. I do
believe he's planning for your departure for the quest of the
diamond swords." Minella replied returning her smile. Rhilian
looked down at his feet then back up at her face.

"Once I've done my quest Minella, we'll leave
Hildurio city. We can leave together to the shores of Gyroan beach
and live there for the rest of our days." He said looking deep into
the beautiful woman's eyes. "I love you Rhilian, please be
careful while you fight the sentinels." She said with glistening
tears starting to fall from her light blue eyes. Then as mysteriously
as she appeared she disappeared.

Dytrallious rubbed his eyes roughly as he sat up on his
comfortable bed, he turned to his right and saw Shuyan tossing and
turning. He then looked to his left and like every morning Rhilian
was gone.

"Get up you bum get up" he roared out as he poked
Shuyan hard in the ribs. Shuyan moaned a bit then turned over showing
his back to Dytrallious. Dytrallious sighed then grabbed Shuyan's
arm then tightened his grip on the wound. Shuyan reared up screaming
in pain

"Fuck you that hurts more than you know." He said
grumpily as he also rubbed his eyes and nursed his arm. "Well I see
Rhilian's gone again." He said looking curiously at the empty
bed. The two staggered out the tent to be greeted by the unwelcome
smell of death. Shuyan stared up towards the hill and saw a large
figure sitting peacefully up on it. "There's the asshole." He
said amusingly as he proceeded out the loathsome encampment with
Dytrallious.

Rhilian was sitting happily on the wet ground
remembering the exquisite sunrise and the sudden arrival of his love
Minella when Shuyan and Dytrallious came strolling up to him. Rhilian
twisted to face them,

"Enjoy the sleep in?" he asked curiously.

"Good like usual, maybe one day you should try it."
Dytrallious cleverly replied revealing his pale yellow teeth. Then
with out warning several arrows came whistling down in front of them.
Rhilian launched up in shock, he whipped the sword from his back and
held it firmly pointing it towards the small groups of sentinels
lined up at the bottom of the hill. Shuyan ripped out his bow and
several arrows and also pointed it at the sentinels; Dytrallious
twirled out both of his gleaming scimitars. Several more arrows
whistled towards them, Rhilian held the flat side of the sword to
face the incoming dangers, one bounced harmlessly off and the others
sheared through the air past him. Shuyan leapt aside as arrows
plummeted where he was standing. Dytrallious twirled both the
scimitars with great skill and unmatched speed, the arrows fall to
splinters of harmless wood as they collided with the spinning blades.

"Charge" Rhilian roared out as he launched forward
holding out his decorated sword.

Shuyan let loose two arrows, they skimmed threw the air
and plunged deep into two separate sentinels, blood poured out of
one's neck and another screamed in pain as Shuyan's arrow
crash-landed deeply into his eye. Four more remained and they
desperately launched arrows at the two large charging figures making
their way down the hill with extraordinary speed. The large figures
had exceptional skill deflecting arrows as they ran. The four worried
sentinels stared at each other then ripped out their crude melee
weapons awaiting the inevitable fight. Dytrallious and Rhilian hit
head on with the sentinels, Rhilian slicing left to right twirling it
up then bringing it down on top of their heads. Dytrallious twirled
his weapons gracefully around his fingers surging forward with
unmatched speed and skill. Within seconds the sentinels were lying in
pieces on the ground.

"It's kinda odd… why would they send such a small
party to assault our encampment?" Dytrallious asked with an
expression of confusion spread across his face.

"Maybe they weren't for the encampment, maybe they
were only for me." Rhilian responded as he proceeded up to the top
of the hill where Shuyan sat happily on a greener patch of ground.

"Well, that was an absolute waste of life." Shuyan
said smirking as he got up trying to stand up as tall as them. They
proceeded back to the camp to set up an assault plan on the final
encampment. The walk was short and the camp seemed to be busier than
before.

"I don't get it, how did they know you were there.
From the trees you'd be a speck." Dytrallious asked in confusion,

"They could have eagles, or magic could be involved,
either way they're gone and all that remains is their encampment."
Rhilian replied sharing his knowledge. "Any way we need to alert
the others of the attack." He said rubbing his chin gently.

Dytrallious and Shuyan walked off to their giant tent
while Rhilian walked off to the fourth in command.

"Filack, the sentinels just had sent an assassination
group to kill me, luckily Dytrallious and Shuyan were there to help
me defend myself. I have a plan for the destruction of the
encampment. Firstly you'll be in charge of the army and I'll need
four of our best fighters." The young inexperienced blonde-haired
man's expression turned from shock to excitement when he heard the
chance of commanding Hildurio city's vast army.

"Yes, general what is your plan for the four
warriors?" the young lieutenant replied, his eyes widening with
excitement.

"Dytrallious, Shuyan, the four warriors and myself
will go to the encampment and an espionage party; we'll destroy as
much as possible while the army you're controlling distracts the
enemy. I have reason to believe they have magic involved enhancing
their sight so we'll wait behind and while you're marching
towards the trees we'll move out to the far edges and hopefully
we'll find their path leading to the encampment." Rhilian replied
pointing out to different parts of the forest. Filack nodded still
trying to hide his excitement; they would wait one more day before
the plan was put into action.

Rhilian returned to his large red tent where Shuyan and
Dytrallious talked excitedly about the failing assassination attempt.
They turned to face their close friend and general. He strode further
into the large tent smiling, after a few minutes he finished telling
them the plan. They liked it.

"Pretty cunning Rhilian." Dytrallious smirked out
staring through the tent opening. All three left after a small
discussion took place.

"We might as well practise for the fight tomorrow."
Shuyan said with a wide unnerving smile. All three got up,
Dytrallious and Shuyan stretched then followed Rhilian to the
training grounds.

"I almost got hit by those arrows; I think I need to
practise dodging them." Shuyan said staring at some of the army's
archer's practise shooting at targets. Rhilian looked at Shuyan
then at the archers.

"I got a plan." He said starting to smile, Shuyan
stayed behind as Dytrallious and Rhilian walked up to the practising
archers. Rhilian smirked as he told Dytrallious the plan, after
hearing it Dytrallious laughed and looked back at the unsuspecting
figure of Shuyan.

"excuse me archers, If you would be so kind to use
those blunt wooden point arrows and fire at that man standing over
there, if you get him you'll be given an improved bow." Rhilian
said trying to hold in the laughter that was struggling to escape.
The bowmen looked at each other with expressions of confusion spread
across their faces. They looked up at their general one last time
then walked over to the stacks of blunted arrows. Dytrallious laughed
then turned around to stare at Shuyan who was staring blankly to the
hill Rhilian was on before.

"Hey Shuyan, dodge these." He yelled out as twelve
arrows skimmed through the air towards Shuyan who was shocked to see
wooden shafts fly at him. Rhilian watched in amazement as Shuyan
jumped up and grabbed two of the twelve arrows flying past him. He
instantly notched them in his withdrawn bow and as he landed back
onto the ground, he let them loose towards Dytrallious and Rhilian.
Both smiles faded from their faces as the arrows sped quickly towards
them. Rhilian whipped up his long sword and the blunt arrow
ricocheted harmlessly off it, Dytrallious ducked down and the arrow
whistled gracefully over his head into an unsuspecting archer behind
him. Rhilian and Dytrallious whipped around to see the archer cry out
in pain as the arrow bounced off his chest. Shuyan cracked up
laughing as Rhilian and Dytrallious walked back to him, embarrassed
that their plan was so easily foiled.

"You guys fell into that so easily, well that's made
my day… lets go do some practise on melee fighting" He suggested
still laughing. Dytrallious, Rhilian and the many archers stood in
bewildered admiration for Shuyan's unique skills.

The three warriors walked down to the melee pit which
was located at the very right of their huge organised camp. There
were several fighters battling with long wooden poles as they
eventually reached it.

"Good morning Jionous, how's the practising going?"
Rhilian asked as he approached a man just as bold as him.

"Good general Rhilian, I'm teaching these slobs and
my brother how to fight like real members of Hildurio's army." He
replied in his usual deep tone. Jionous had very short, light blonde
hair; his eyes were a navy blue like Rhilian's eyes. He had an
unnerving tattoo spread across his face which apparently represented
Iveasura, an incurable disease. He carried a long spear like pole,
which had barbaric spikes at the one tip and a sharp spike on the
opposite tip.

"Jionous, how bout a fight, you may learn to be as
good as me." Dytrallious said smirking as he looked at Jionous
expression. "Sure, it'll be good to show this mob how I can
easily beat a corporal." Jionous replied smiling as he walked off
with Dytrallious to one of the small melee arenas. Shuyan placed his
precious bow down and withdrew his machete threateningly.

"Shuyan, we don't use actual weapons here other wise
there'd be no one to fight the sentinels." A young man by the
name of Bullinous said as he looked at Shuyan's intimidating
weapon.

"Your brother Jionous wouldn't be scared. How bout
you and me fight in that arena." Shuyan replied pointing to the
arena next to where Dytrallious and Jionous were getting prepared.
Bullinous also had short blonde hair; his eyes were an intimidating
dark green that seemed permanently bloodshot. His skin was a dark
tanned showing him as an outdoors man.

"Alright, but I kind of want my limbs by the end of
it." Bullinous replied to Shuyan's offer. Rhilian walked over to
the arenas where his friends were getting prepared to fight.

Dytrallious had chosen two moderately sized rods to
replace his scimitars; Jionous used a regular unthreatening pole to
replace his very dangerous weapon. Rhilian watched as the two circled
each other then launched forward, Dytrallious was slightly broader
and taller giving him a slight advantage over Jionous. Jionous's
pole clashed with Dytrallious's dual wooden poles. Dytrallious
twirled his leg around Jionous's leg skilfully tripping him up.
Jionous fell hard against the ground; he instantly recovered and
rolled to the left as Dytrallious brought one of the poles down
towards him. Jionous leapt up and swung his pole towards the back of
Dytrallious's neck, Dytrallious whipped his arm behind his back
holding the pole to counter it. Again there was a collision between
the weapons. Dytrallious's spare hand holding his other pole flew
towards Jionous's stomach. Jionous leapt aside dodging the blow by
an inch.

"Nice moves." Rhilian bellowed out, he then turned
to Shuyan and Bullinous. Bullinous was considerably taller than
Shuyan. However Shuyan was a lot broader and also unmatched in speed
apart from Dytrallious. Bullinous rushed in wielding a large axe, he
leapt up and brought it down towards Shuyan's head. Shuyan leapt
aside and swung his deadly machete at Bullinous's right leg;
Bullinous countered it with his heavy axe then twirled around holding
out his giant axe. Shuyan ducked down and laughed as he prodded the
still twirling Bullinous in the back with his machete.

"Well guess I win then." He said with a look of
satisfaction spread across his face. Bullinous jumped down from the
arena and yelled up to Shuyan

"Congratulations Shuyan, good fight."

Rhilian looked back at Dytrallious and Jionous still
battling; Dytrallious was spinning around and twirling the poles
around his fingers with unmatched skill. Jionous was having
difficulties getting his long pole past them. Suddenly Filack came
strolling down towards Rhilian.

"General, the scouts have reported several sentinel
archers lining the tree edge, the north entrance of the forest is
clear but the route is a lot longer" he said making sure his voice
was heard by everyone. Rhilian paused while looking at the ground,
thinking of one of his brilliant tactical plans; he usually came up
with to defeat his foes.

"I guess that'll be our only option… Filack, you
lead the army forward towards the trees to distract them and any
magic sentries they could possibly have however do not enter the
woods… they will be far more adapted at fighting in their home
territory than they were yesterday in the fields." Rhilian said
then paused looking up at Dytrallious and Jionous clash once more.
"As you remain on the periphery, my group will be sabotaging the
encampment." Rhilian replied keeping his voice silent so only
Filack could hear him. "I will advice you further on what you must
do, later… For now we must let the men rest from yesterday."

Filack looked up at the battling pair then at Shuyan
still receiving applause from his victory.

"Very good General… I'll be at my tent." He said
bowing down Rhilian before turning abruptly and marched off.

Dytrallious leapt up pushing Jionous's pole aside, he
then sent his leg directly into the middle of Jionous's stomach.
Jionous slid back wards clutching his stomach, he then launched up
twirling his pole skilfully in the direction of Dytrallious. The two
clashed together once again, Dytrallious using his strength to push
Jionous's pole back with his two poles. Jionous struggled under his
extreme weight being placed on his pole, He tried to kick Dytrallious
but as he did so Dytrallious leapt up landing on his foot, then
pushing both his weapons into Jionous's stomach ending the battle.

"Very good fight." Rhilian roared out as he clapped
his hands. Jionous and Dytrallious shook hands then leapt off the
elevated battle arena. Rhilian walked over to Dytrallious who had
sweat running down his forehead.

"Well that's enough exercise for me today."
Dytrallious said wiping his forehead. "Shuyan won pretty quickly, I
feel a bit sorry for Bullinous..." He continued looking over at
Shuyan talk to Jionous and Bullinous. After Shuyan had finished
chatting, he walked over to Rhilian and the still puffing
Dytrallious.

"I'm going back to the archery range, you guys
really should learn how to fire a bow, it'll come in handy
sometime." He said as he grabbed his bow resting on a wooden ledge.
The three large men walked over to the almost deserted archery
ranges. Rhilian grabbed a reasonably made bow resting against the
small archery wall. Dytrallious cycled through several bows before
deciding on a lighter coloured one which looked masterfully made.
They each notched their blunted arrows then let loose at their
designated targets, Dytrallious's arrow landing on the yellow part
of the target representing the lowest point. Rhilian's arrow landed
on the black part of the target meaning he didn't score anything.
Shuyan laughed out loud then shot two arrows at once; his arrows
splintered the sides of both his friends' arrows.

"You're such a show off." Dytrallious said
grumpily firing another arrow which landed near the middle. "Did
you see that? I almost got the middle." He said ecstatically then
fired another arrow which didn't even hit the target. "I… uh…
spoke too soon." He said laughing. An hour of non-stop archery
passed with Rhilian and Dytrallious steadily getting better from
practising their bow skills, eventually they threw in the towel and
headed towards the large general's tent.

Rhilian was first to reach the entrance, however a
sight from the wounded area attacked his eyes. There were corpses
littering the ground, and the wounded barely moved in their
uncomfortable stretchers. Rhilian felt a flare of anger raise in his
mind; he turned to see Dytrallious and Shuyan also clenching their
teeth.

"Why are the corpses just left on the ground… they
should be buried. It'll be spreading disease soon if nothings
done." Dytrallious said angrily as he marched up with Shuyan and
Rhilian to the giant hospital tent. They were deeply surprised to see
the four doctors' playing cards. Shuyan ripped out his machete and
launched forward only to be stopped by Rhilian.

"Why the fuck are you assholes in here playing cards."
Shuyan yelled out angrily flailing his machete wildly.

The doctors instantly dropped their cards at seeing the
general and two corporals staring angrily at them.

"Answer your corporal now" Rhilian said glaring
loathsomely at the dumbfounded doctors. The doctors looked at each
other starting to sweat then stared back at the three outraged men.

"We are on a break; we'll be finished in five
minutes." One of the older doctors said in a worried tone. Rhilian
continued to stare them while Dytrallious went to the tent flap and
yanked it open…

"I bet you haven't even seen the sight out there, if
you're going to have a break at least make sure there are two
doctors out there to ease the wounded men's nerves." Dytrallious
yelled out as his grip tightened on one of his scimitars. The doctors
got up keeping their eyes from the three intimidating men. They
walked over to their equipment still keeping their heads bowed.

"Also I want you to have the corpses buried; it's
not very good for our men's moral to see their friends lying on the
ground in their own blood." Rhilian said in his usual deep tone.
The doctors walked out into the opening and instantly sent their
hands to their noses trying to prevent the smell. Shuyan carefully
placed his machete back into its sheath, the throbbing vein in his
neck still visible.

The three still disgruntled men walked out into the
disease filled air and watched the doctors begin their work. They
helped bury the dead and eventually all that remained were the
wounded soldiers who were being comforted by the doctors.

"I still can't believe those doctors were just
slacking off while the men outside were pretty much waiting until
they died." Shuyan said starting to calm down.

"I'll let King Nadurio know of their insolence, but
until then there's nothing we can do." Rhilian replied as he
stared at one of the doctors tap a patient's leg. They then walked
away from the still smelling area to their large red tent.

"I didn't think I'd ever get this bored when I
joined the Hildurio army." Shuyan said trying to start a
conversation as they lay back in their designated beds.

"Well tomorrow our day will be full of action"
Rhilian replied as he stroked his small beard. Dytrallious pulled
out a pack of cards from his pocket then laughed as Shuyan and
Rhilian stared at the pack curiously.

"You guys knew that I was a pickpocket when I was
younger, well I still got those skills and just to make sure those
doctors don't slack off anymore… I took these as that older one
past us." Dytrallious said with another laugh. Shuyan started
cracking up and almost fall off his bed, Rhilian sat quietly on his
bed smiling weakly remembering Dytrallious's anti-law ways. Shuyan
eventually stopped then grabbed a table and brought it in front of
his ruffled bed.

"Let's have a game." He said smiling at his
companions. They played many varying games, each for several hours
betting different things and eating delicacies available only to
high-ranking officers, whilst the sun sunk behind Fheia's summit of
Guldan's ancient volcano. Finally Rhilian threw in the towel after
losing everything in the tent he owned apart from his bed, sword and
the clothes he was wearing.

The start of the evening went slowly and all Rhilian
could think about were the legendary diamond swords and that soon
after the sentinels were gone he could finally begin his quest to
find them. He lay back on his comfortable bed as Shuyan and
Dytrallious continued playing cards remembering back to when his
father told him the locations of each sword. The first sword was
located in Shining Forest near a place called Marble City. It was
owned by a large Ogre by the name of Gritlio; Gritlio was apparently
nine feet tall and had the strength of a dragon. He had gotten the
sword from an ancient dark wizard that guarded Dragon Cave; the
second sword was taken to the old necromancer's tower to north-west
edge of Sendurius where apparently an undead monster wields it to
this every day. The wizard had forged them from the ancient abyss
found in Gaulatraus Region. Ever since Rhilian had heard of the
diamond swords' power he had wanted to search for them. His father
who was now too old to find them wanted his son to continue his
legacy. After pondering the different things he may encounter on his
future quest for almost a full hour he fell asleep.

"Rhilian, leave this area now. The Sentinels are to
be left alone. Your quest for the diamond swords is far more
important now." A soothing voice said in his dreams. Suddenly
unearthly skeletons and zombie creatures roamed past him and started
slaughtering young children and innocent women. Rhilian stared in
silent horror unable to move, unable to scream. Rhilian launched up
with sweat spread across his brow. He was puffing almost
uncontrollably, and his teeth hurt from being clenched together. It
was night time, Shuyan and Dytrallious were snoring away as Rhilian
leapt off his bed.

'What was that?' Rhilian thought nervously to
himself. 'Was just a nightmare' he assured himself as he began to
cease shaking. He walked outside and was greeted by cool refreshing
air; he took a deep breath in.

Rhilian looked up towards the hill he was sitting on in
the morning, it looked so peaceful which was all he wanted at the
moment. Within minutes he was sitting on it taking deep breaths of
clean air. He lied back looking at the continuous forest in front of
him.

'Once the swords are mine, Minella and my life will be
as peaceful as this.' He thought happily to himself forgetting
about his abnormal dream. He stayed lying on the ground looking at
the gloomy forest until the sun rose from the Eastern ranges of
Sendurius. Like the morning before Minella appeared, Rhilian smiled
as she looked down radiating her beauty.

"Good morning my love, sleep well?" Rhilian said
still smiling

"Good morning to you too, yes… Unusually well. How
fares the battle against the Sentinels?" Minella asked as she
stared past Rhilian into the encampment.

"Nothing new except six sentinels tried to kill me
yesterday, in a few hours our final plan against the sentinels will
be put into action." Rhilian replied looking into her blue eyes.

"Please be careful Rhilian, our dream will never come
true if you… you fall." She said with a tear falling from her
eyes to the ground then disappearing.

"If it were possible I would kiss you right now"
Rhilian said continuing to look into her deep blue eyes.

"Garacius is teaching me the spell of teleportation;
soon I will be able to be with you wherever you go instead of just
appearing to be here." She told Rhilian. Rhilian got up and smiled…
Then without warning an arrow past harmlessly through Minella's
apparition and crash-landed deep into Rhilian's leg. Minella
screamed just before disappearing. Rhilian roared out in pain and
whipped out his sword. Blood leaked out of his thigh and ran down his
leg. Rhilian stared down at the bottom of the hill where around
twenty sentinels stood holding bows. Several more arrows came
whistling up, Rhilian dodged and deflected many before two more hit
into the other leg. Rhilian collapsed to the ground moaning in pain,
he looked over at the quiet encampment then saw Shuyan and
Dytrallious stretching and yawning as they walked out of the tent.

Dytrallious took a deep breath in; the air was a lot
better than the foul stench of the decaying that could be smelt the
day before.

"I bet the dick is up on that stupid hill again."
Shuyan said as he pointed to a figure lying down on the hill.
Dytrallious walked out of the encampment with Shuyan following.
Suddenly they saw around twenty sentinels march up to the motionless
figure. Shuyan ripped out his bow and two arrows. Dytrallious
launched out his scimitars as he nervously watched the sentinels get
closer to Rhilian.

"Go get help Dytrallious, there's no way we can beat
that many." Shuyan roared as he let loose his arrows at the nearest
two. Dytrallious hesitated then ran back to the encampment.

Rhilian looked up at the towering sentinels, suddenly
two arrows flew past him and buried themselves into the nearest of
the twenty sentinels. The sentinels cursed angrily as two of their
companions fell to the ground soaked in their own blood. Two more
arrows past over hitting another two.

"For Mistress Thirsa." The commander roared as
countless shafts flew towards Shuyan. Rhilian cried out and threw his
sword at the commander. It instantly beheaded him causing blood to
spray over the remaining sentinels. Rhilian looked over at Shuyan and
saw him do his extraordinary stunt, he launched into the air grabbing
two of the many arrows. He landed then sent them flying into the
enemy. One sentinel sent his sword down towards Rhilian's neck when
about forty arrows whistled past and dug themselves into the
unsuspecting sentinels. Rhilian looked over again and saw thirty
eight of Hildurio's finest archers lined up holding a bow each. He
sighed in relief then rested his head against the moist grass.

Dytrallious and Shuyan sprinted up to Rhilian and saw
the three arrow shafts sticking out of his legs. They lifted him up
and heard him groan in agony.

"Ah shut up you arrogant fool, you're going to the
doctors' tent to get those scratches checked out." Dytrallious
said with a laugh as Rhilian stared angrily at him, Shuyan picked up
his sword then went with them. Within minutes Rhilian was inside the
doctors' tent receiving painful treatment to his legs. The arrows
were torn out with large chunks of meat with them; blood spilt on the
bed causing a small pool. Dytrallious and Shuyan were ordered out of
the room. Suddenly a huge barbaric figure moved into the room and
grabbed Rhilian's legs. The doctors watched in shock as the wounds
sealed up and soon left no trace of injury. Rhilian shook and
quivered then stopped as the large man released his grip on his legs;
Rhilian quickly recovered and looked up in shock.

"Who are you?" He asked in a surprised tone.

"Garacius and this is just a gift from your wife
Minella. I don't approve of your battle here; you should be on the
quest for the diamond swords. You have no time to waste." The eight
foot man replied then disappeared without a trace. Rhilian sat there
still shocked with the feeling of the abnormal healing powers and how
did the man called Garacius know of his quest for the diamond swords?
He sat there pondering different unanswered questions for several
minutes until Dytrallious and Shuyan walked in and saw Rhilian's
unwounded legs.

"Wow, see you doctors can heal anything once you put
your mind into it." Dytrallious said still looking at Rhilian's
uninjured legs. Shuyan walked up to Rhilian with an expression of
confusion across his face.

"What the fuck… how the hell did you… they do
that?" he said still with the confusion across his face.

"I'll tell you later firstly we must get ready for
the assault on the camp." Rhilian said hopping off the bed, then
bending and stretching his legs leaving the many doctors looking at
the three heroes with dumbfounded expressions. After several minutes
of walking Rhilian and his two confused friends were at Filack's
tent.

"Corporal
Filack prepare the army, I want you to go the south entrance… like
I explained earlier you are to wait in the fields without entering
the forest and distract as many as you can. Keep the archers in the
middle and swordsmen on the outside with their shields up high; once
the encampment is destroyed we will shoot a fire arrow up, keep
looking to the north for the signal to return." Rhilian ordered
Filack. Filack nodded and went out into the open and was soon
followed by Rhilian and his corporals.

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